Author Topic: Ok, I know....  (Read 2179 times)

Offline Krusty

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Re: Ok, I know....
« Reply #30 on: October 15, 2010, 12:59:42 AM »
Never mind the fact that the PV-2 saw almost no service in WW2, eh?

PV-1 saw plenty, but was underpowered and overloaded. PV-2 had the same engines but a much increased wingspan to help carry the extreme amount of fuel onboard. They also tacked on another 1000lbs of ord (from 3k to 4k). Only problem is this wrinkled the wings on takeoff.

After a long retesting and redesigning phase, that included shortening the wings a bit (still didn't fix it) the majority of PV-2s were shipped out after late 1944 and were used stateside as trainers.

They would have been slower than the PV-1 due to the much larger wing, but would have had longer range because the fuel was increased thinking they could add more weight without problems.


If you want a PV-1 that's one thing. They soldiered on despite being rather outdated in the PTO. It was slower than an A-20G, had less fixed guns, and less payload. However only about 69 PV-2s (according to Wikipedia's count, some other webpages don't specify) were actually delivered of all types. Some were -D models but overall they were an advanced trainer.

P.S. Some comments about a few -2Ds used as ground attack on (I think it was) the Aleutian islands, but after 1943 the air forces of the world began to rethink their different categories of planes, and dedicated attackers weren't needed when fighter-bombers were just as good and could also kill enemy planes. By late 1944/early 1945 P-47s, P-51s, and P-38s ruled the PTO and had most of the jabo tasks covered.
« Last Edit: October 15, 2010, 01:02:08 AM by Krusty »

Offline Guppy35

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Re: Ok, I know....
« Reply #31 on: October 15, 2010, 01:08:12 AM »
Relax Krusty.  They got inspired by a history story and got interested.  A far better reason to talk about it then wading through Wiki and hoping to come up with a new plane to throw out on the wishlist.

You could certainly make an argument for the Ventura/Harpoon series of birds based on their broad use just about everywhere in the war.
Dan/CorkyJr
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Offline Krusty

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Re: Ok, I know....
« Reply #32 on: October 15, 2010, 01:32:59 AM »
The PV-1 certainly soldiered on despite being Zero meat. I read one story about how one survived multiple attacks from many fighters, downing many and barely making it back to crashland at the field. They could be tough planes!

Offline Rich46yo

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Re: Ok, I know....
« Reply #33 on: October 15, 2010, 04:26:10 AM »
Nice airplane but we will always be lacking without a Soviet level bomber.
"flying the aircraft of the Red Star"

Offline mbailey

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Re: Ok, I know....
« Reply #34 on: October 15, 2010, 06:36:16 AM »
Lots of em got used as Fire bombers after the war.

Interestingly enough there is a great thread on the WIX forum about the recovery of a D model that had been sitting for 16 years or so.  They are going to take it back to stock.  There is another ongoing thread by a gal who works on the team that keeps a Harpoon going in Indianapolis

The recovered "Poon

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=38160

"Hot Stuff" the "Poon on the warbird circuit

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=25790&hilit=hot+stuff
Thanks for the link Dan, She is one pretty gal!!! I love seeing people save these warbirds. I truly believe they do this for no other reason than the love of the history,and the men and women that made that history. Truly selfless people.
 Im fortunate enough to have a restoration of a P61 going on close to where i live, and have been allowed to get up close and see the progress they have made.They are gonna get her flying,and she will be the only flying P61 in the world.

+1 on this bird
« Last Edit: October 15, 2010, 06:40:56 AM by mbailey »
Mbailey
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Offline Saxman

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Re: Ok, I know....
« Reply #35 on: October 15, 2010, 07:02:22 AM »
Way to spoil a positive thread, Krusty. Totally AWESOME job. Hope you're proud of the accomplishment.

 :P
Ron White says you can't fix stupid. I beg to differ. Stupid will usually sort itself out, it's just a matter of making sure you're not close enough to become collateral damage.

Offline Dichotomy

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Re: Ok, I know....
« Reply #36 on: October 15, 2010, 10:56:28 AM »
it's still got my vote.. sounds like a nice addition. 
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Offline Krusty

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Re: Ok, I know....
« Reply #37 on: October 15, 2010, 07:12:19 PM »
Way to spoil a positive thread, Krusty. Totally AWESOME job. Hope you're proud of the accomplishment.

 :P

You call that positive? And you call pointing out the very obvious fact that it saw no combat and was used in limited numbers stateside as a trainer to be "spoiling" the topic?


Okay... But you're in for a disappointment if you read ANY of the past threads in the last 10 years. You'll find most of them are "positive" wishes that are "spoiled" by silly facts and details....

Offline Ack-Ack

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Re: Ok, I know....
« Reply #38 on: October 15, 2010, 07:20:24 PM »
You call that positive? And you call pointing out the very obvious fact that it saw no combat and was used in limited numbers stateside as a trainer to be "spoiling" the topic?


Okay... But you're in for a disappointment if you read ANY of the past threads in the last 10 years. You'll find most of them are "positive" wishes that are "spoiled" by silly facts and details....

The PV-2C was used stateside as a trainer, not the 2D, which saw limited numbers produced by war's end.

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Offline Krusty

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Re: Ok, I know....
« Reply #39 on: October 15, 2010, 07:24:58 PM »
The 60 or so made included -2Ds in that tally, and most of those were still used state-side. I've read that they were used on one sortie to some islands, but the time they got to the front the war was almost over and their contribution was nil.

Offline Guppy35

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Re: Ok, I know....
« Reply #40 on: October 15, 2010, 10:55:36 PM »
The 60 or so made included -2Ds in that tally, and most of those were still used state-side. I've read that they were used on one sortie to some islands, but the time they got to the front the war was almost over and their contribution was nil.

PV-2s went into combat with VPB-139 in the Aleutians against Japan in April 45 and continued flying missions to the Kurile islands and elsewhere til the end of the war. VPB-135 got there in July.  So not in great numbers, but they did get into action.  PV-1 obviously was involved a lot longer.
Dan/CorkyJr
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